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Monthly Periodical Index, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

This department lists the articles and comments which appear in twenty-four leading law reviews.

Front Matter, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Front Matter for Volume 36, Issue 1 of Michigan Law Review

Damage As Requisite To Rescission For Misrepresentation, Glenn A. Mccleary

Michigan Law Review

The decadence of equity during the nineteenth century has long been an accepted phenomenon. The attempt to make law coincide with morals in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was followed in the nineteenth century by the gradual fixing of rules and a consequent stiffening of the legal systems, in which moral principles became lost in a mass of rules derived from such principles. What were once equitable doctrines tended to become mechanical rules. The former strength of equity has been weakened in the various jurisdictions, due in a large measure to the administration of law and equity by the same …

A Comparison Of Continental And American Legal Education, Stefan Riesenfeld

Michigan Law Review

Legal education in the United States has become more and more a part of university education and the activity of the American university law school is a matter which invites comparison with the law schools of foreign universities. This is true particularly because the system of university legal education has recently also become a "problem" in this country. In 1930 Abraham Flexner published his instructive, but possibly not altogether unbiased, book on universities in which he pictured American, English and German universities. The author gave all his attention to the teaching of science, however, and did not discuss law schools, …

Constitutional Law - Separation Of Powers - Power Of The Courts And Legislature To Regulate The Practice Of Law And Procedure, Peter S. Boter

Michigan Law Review

In theory, the doctrine of separation of powers presents a governmental system with spheres of power for each department, separated by clear lines of demarcation. Yet in practice it does not follow that a complete separation of powers could be effected or would be desirable. The concurrent exercise of a power by two coordinate branches of a government may result in conflicting regulations and also in charges that the exercise of the power by one department is an unconstitutional encroachment on the powers to be exercised by another and coordinate department. This situation is present in the concurrent exercise of …

Assault And Battery-Abusive Language And Threats - Fright Causing Miscarriage, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Upon the plaintiff's refusal to pay anything on her account with the defendant corporation, the collecting agent of the latter, knowing that the plaintiff was far advanced in pregnancy, called her a "deadbeat" and threatened to have her arrested. In a civil action for wiful trespass to the person, the plaintiff alleged that fright caused by the defendant's conduct resulted in illness and a miscarriage. Held, that there was a cause of action stated, even though there was no physical violence. Kirby v. Jules Chain Stores Corp., 210 N. C. 808, 188 S. E. 625 (1936).

Carriers - Shipping - Limitation Of Liability By Stipulation On Ticket, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Libelant through an agent purchased a steamship ticket to the West Indies. Neither libelant nor his agent had actual knowledge of a stipulation on the back of the ticket which required passengers to lodge a written notice of any claim against the steamship company within thirty days after termination of the voyage. All passengers were required to sign their tickets, but libelant failed to do so until the day after the cruise began. The district court dismissed a suit for personal injuries suffered while aboard the ship because of noncompliance with the limitation of the ticket. Held on appeal, reversing …

Executors And Administrators -- Quasi-Contract Liability Of Decedent's Estate -- Administrative Expenses As A Prior Charge On The Estate, Ralph Winkler

Michigan Law Review

After the supply of feed for the decedent's livestock had been depleted and before the appointment of an administrator, the plaintiff furnished some grain at the request of the decedent's daughter and son-in-law, no other parties attempting to assist in any way. It was understood that the plaintiff would look to the estate for payment. In an action of contract against the administrator in his representative capacity for the value of the grain the court held that the plaintiff had a valid claim in quasi-contract against the estate, basing the decision upon "broad considerations of policy." Since the estate was …

Future Interests -Validity Of A Power Of Appointment Under The Rule Against Perpetuities, Peter S. Boter

Michigan Law Review

Testator devised the income from his residuary estate to his two daughters for life, directing the trustee, on each daughter's death, to divide her share of the trust fund among the daughter's surviving children, and to hold the shares of the granddaughters for their lives and the shares of the grandsons until they severally reached the age of thirty years. The will then provided, "And in case of the death of any one of my grandsons before attaining the age of thirty years and in case of the death of my granddaughters, I direct that my Trustee shall distribute the …

Evidence - Exceptions To Hearsay Rule - Physician's Testimony As To Statements Of Symptoms Made By Patient, Benjamin H. Dewey

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, while in the employ of the defendant, was injured when a ditch he was engaged in digging caved in upon him. Defendant alleged that the shock made active theretofore dormant pulmonary tuberculosis. He received treatment from a physician at the time of the injury. Upon plaintiff's suit under the Texas Workmen's Compensation Act, the physician was allowed to testify, over defendant's objection, that about a month and a half after the injury, the plaintiff had come to the physician's office, and reported that his sputum was stained with blood. On appeal, it was held, one judge dissenting, that …

Insurance - Automobile Insurance - "Passengers For Consideration", Jacob L. Keidan

Michigan Law Review

In an action upon an automobile liability insurance policy, defendant sought to avoid liability by proof of voluntary payments made to the insured by the plaintiff subsequent to the beginning of the trip. It was held that since no agreement for payment was made prior to the trip the insured was not then carrying "passengers for consideration" within the meaning of the clause contained in the policy for the purpose of protecting the insurer against such use of the vehicle. Reed v. Bloom, (D. C. Okla. 1936) 15 F. Supp. 600.

Mortgages - Subrogation Of One Whose Loan Is Used To Pay A Senior Mortgage, Theodore R. Vogt

Michigan Law Review

S mortgaged the property in question to U, then conveyed the land and certain water rights to H, who gave a second mortgage on the land to M. Thereafter H conveyed the land and water rights to F, who borrowed from Z funds to retire the first mortgage, giving to Z a mortgage which it was agreed between F and Z should be a first mortgage, and transferring to Z the water rights as additional security. In an action by M to foreclose, held, Z was entitled to subrogation to the position of first mortgagee …

Principal And Agent - Liability Of Agent To Third Party For Contract Made Without Authority, Walter Probst Jr.

Michigan Law Review

The defendant conducted a real estate agency and had been requested from time to time to find a purchaser for a certain tract of land. The defendant negotiated to sell this land to the plaintiffs, who knew the defendant was acting as an agent. The land had before the time of this negotiation been conveyed to a third party by the principal. It was found that the defendant was acting in good faith. Held, that the defendant was not personally liable for the loss and damage sustained by the plaintiffs. King v. Russell, 278 Mich. 529, 270 N. …

Municipal Corporations - Use Of Streets - Validity Of Ordinance Providing For Parking Meters, Charles M. Kneier

Michigan Law Review

Petitioner was convicted and fined for parking in a meter parking space on a city street without depositing a nickel in the meter as required by municipal ordinance. Upon being committed to jail he applied for a writ of habeas corpus, contending that the ordinance providing for parking meters was invalid. Held, the writ was denied, parking meter ordinances being valid police regulations. Ex parte Duncan, 179 Okla. 355, 65 P. (2d) 1015 (1937).

Taxation - Validity Of Retroactive Inheritance Tax On Contingent Trust Remainders, Francis T. Goheen

Michigan Law Review

In 1877 the settlor created an irrevocable trust with reservation of the income for life. Under the terms of the trust deed, on the death of the settlor, the income was to be paid for twenty years after the settlor's death "to and among such of" settlor's children as may be living at the time of the payment. The living issue of deceased's children were to take by right of representation. On the death of the settlor in 1931 the state of Massachusetts by statute enacted in 1907 taxed the remainder as property passing by deed "intending to take effect …

Book Notes, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

This department undertakes to list and, when possible, describe briefly current books on law and matters closely related thereto.

Trade-Marks - Registration - Likelihood Of Confusion, Herbert L. Nadeau

Michigan Law Review

The applicant sought registration of the trade-mark "Powermax" for gasoline. The application was opposed on the ground of prior use and registration of "Powerine" for the same product. The register already contained the marks "Powerfuel," "Powerline," "Powerite," "Powero," "Powerflash," and "Powerized" for gasoline. Held, the application was properly denied. The mark must be considered as a whole, and the fact that the registered mark, or a portion of it, is descriptive in character does not justify disregarding the similarity in passing on the right to register. The showing of other confusing marks on the register does not help this …

Purchaser's Remedies For Absence Of Marketable Title, Lawrence Linville

Michigan Law Review

"Where a person takes upon himself to contract for the sale of an estate, and is not the absolute owner of it, nor has it in his power by the ordinary course of law or equity to make himself so; though the owner offer to make the seller a title, yet equity will not force the buyer to take it, for every seller ought to be a bona fide contractor: and it would lead to infinite mischief if one man were permitted to speculate upon the sale of another's estate."

The apprehensions of Sugden were not groundless, as three quarters …

Corporations - Priority Between Parent Corporation And Preferred Stockholders Of Bankrupt Subsidiary, Erwin S. Simon

Michigan Law Review

It is well settled that when an undercapitalized subsidiary corporation is bankrupt, the claims for money loaned by the parent corporation which has dominated the subsidiary will be subordinated to the claims of other creditors. An analogous problem, which has seldom, if ever, been directly passed upon, is the priority between the claims of the nonvoting preferred stockholders of the subsidiary and those of the dominating corporation which owns all the common voting stock of the subsidiary. In spite of the fact that intercorporate loans are a common and approved method of financing subsidiaries, the question has heretofore been relatively …

Corporations - Unorthodox Preferred Stock Provisions In Priority Litigation, Elbert R. Gilliom

Michigan Law Review

To one who has accumulated sufficient savings to earn the position of a prospective purchaser of corporate securities there is presented an impressive and somewhat mystifying list of interests from which he may choose, advisedly or otherwise. Between orthodox common stock at one extreme and secured bonds at the other, ranges an endless variety of stocks embodying some bond characteristics, bonds bearing stock attributes, and a welter of certificates professing to be neither stocks nor bonds. Because individual sources of funds needed for industry do differ in their convictions as to relative advantages of different characteristics of securities, issuing corporations, …

Mortgages - Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure - Validity, Elbridge D. Phelps

Michigan Law Review

Depression years have brought to the fore a question much controverted in the early law, but now said to have become settled. That question regards the effect and efficacy of a conveyance of the mortgaged land, or a transfer of the equity of redemption, by the mortgagor to his mortgagee. It seems to have been cheerfully assumed by some lawyers, and by laymen in general, that in the absence of liens subsequent to the mortgage, the procedure is perfectly safe and proper in every case. It is the purpose of this discussion, however, to point out certain dangers inherent in …

Wills - Executors And Administrators -Titles - Effect Of The Revocation Of Probate Decrees On The Title To Realty Acquired By Bona Fide Purchase From Heir Or Devisee, Victor P. Kayser

Michigan Law Review

There are probably few chains of title to realty that do not contain at least one link consisting of a conveyance from one who claimed as heir or devisee of a decedent. The ability of the granter to convey resulted from the fact that he was heir of an intestate or was a devisee under the last will of his testator. Sometimes it has occurred that the grantee has purchased for value and with no knowledge or suspicion of an impending attack on his grantor's title, only to have it subsequently determined in a judicial proceeding that his grantor's ancestor …

Attorney And Client - Canons Of Ethics - Attorney Of Record As Witness For Client, Bertram H. Lebeis

Michigan Law Review

In a suit commenced by bill in aid of execution, the attorney of record of one of the defendants was allowed to testify concerning a note given to the other defendant. Held, that although this is a violation of Rule 19 of the Canons of Professional Ethics, it is not reversible error. Vozbut v. Pomputis, 277 Mich. 212, 269 N. W. 149 (1936).

Charities - Corporation Organized For Political Purposes As A Charitable Organization, Charles R. Linton

Michigan Law Review

A statute provided, in substance, that bequests in a will to charitable organizations may not collectively exceed one-third of the estate of a testator leaving heirs. Plaintiff, a legatee under a will, appealed from a decree which found the American Jewish Congress was not a charitable organization and therefore was entitled to the full sum bequeathed to it. Among the corporate purposes stated in the articles of incorporation were: (a) to further the development of the Jewish National Home in Palestine, and (b) to secure and maintain equality of opportunity for Jews everywhere. Held, decree reversed; although incorporated for …

Landlord And Tenant - Liability Of Subtenant For Rent After Surrender Of Head Lease, Virginia M. Renz

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, as assignee of the original lessor, sued the defendant, sublessee, for rent. On September 3, 1930, the head lease was surrendered to the owner, subject to all subleases. The defendant was in possession until about January 4, 1933. At that time he learned of the surrender and vacated the premises. Held, the lessee's surrender of the head lease to the owner did not terminate either the rights or obligations of the sublessee. The doctrine of merger is inapplicable. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Hellinger, 272 N. Y. 24, 3 N. E. (2d) 621 (1936).

Negligence - Duty Of A Landowner Toward A User Of The Highway, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiffs were walking along the highway when one of them became exhausted. They both sat down for about five minutes on the doorsill of the defendant's factory which was within four inches of the street. No mark indicated the line dividing the street from the defendant's premises. The plaintiffs were about to continue on their way when a sign, fastened over the door of the factory, fell without warning and injured both plaintiffs. The defendant did not know the sign was in danger of falling, but had not inspected it for several years. Held, the plaintiffs cannot recover …

Public Utilities - Constitutionality Of Statute Imposing Regulatory Costs Upon Utilities, Charles W. Allen

Michigan Law Review

A state statute imposed an annual fee of one-tenth of one per cent of gross operating revenues upon public utilities. The fees were placed in a state revolving fund used to defray the expenses of administration of the public service law. Plaintiff railroad paid the fees under protest and brought an action to recover that amount, claiming that the act was unconstitutional. The trial court held that the act was unconstitutional on its face. The state supreme court revised this decision, holding that act valid and placing the burden of proof on the plaintiff to show that it had become …

Criminal Law And Procedure - Power Of Appellate Court To Modify Sentence, Emma Rae Mann

Michigan Law Review

It is generally conceded that when a sentence is illegal in the sense that it exceeds the maximum prescribed by statute, it may be modified by a reviewing court, although it is not clear that common-law courts were always regarded as having such power. Power to modify in such cases is now recognized in federal courts as well as in state courts. Quite another question arises when the sentence appealed from is within the limits allowed by law but is urged to be unduly severe. The decision in the recent case of Beckett v. United States that the federal circuit …

Municipal Corporations - Implied Power To Sell Appliances As Incidental To Power To Operate Municipal Light Plant, Milton Rabinowitz

Michigan Law Review

A Massachusetts statute authorized municipalities to "construct, purchase or lease, and maintain . . . one or more plants for the manufacture or distribution of gas or electricity for municipal use, or for the use of its inhabitants." Pursuant to this statute the town of Concord contracted with the Edison Electric Company of Boston to supply the municipal light plant with electrical energy for distribution by the latter to local consumers. In order to take advantage of a lower rate to enable it to meet the competition of a privately owned gas company, the municipality sought to increase consumption by …